The deep depression currently over the Southwest Bay of Bengal is rapidly intensifying, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting that it will become a cyclonic storm within the next six hours. As of Friday afternoon, the depression was located approximately 270 km north-northeast of Trincomalee, 300 km east of Nagapattinam, 340 km southeast of Puducherry, and 380 km southeast of Chennai. The system is expected to move northwestward and make landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, near Puducherry, by the afternoon of November 30.
The IMD has warned that the storm will bring moderate to heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, with gusty winds of 70-80 kmph, gusting up to 90 kmph. Coastal areas are advised to stay cautious, as rough seas are anticipated, and fishermen have been urged not to venture into the ocean.
Chennai is already experiencing high tides and gusty winds due to the system, and the weather department has issued alerts for continued adverse conditions. The depression moved north-northeast at a speed of 9 km/h, and by 11:30 PM on November 28, it was located about 240 km northeast of Trincomalee, 330 km east-southeast of Nagapattinam, and 430 km southeast of Chennai.
As the system approaches land, the winds are expected to reach 45-55 km/h, with gusts of up to 65 km/h. The cyclone’s influence will bring heavy rainfall to the coastal regions, particularly the Delta districts, Viluppuram, Cuddalore, Puducherry, and Chengalpattu. In anticipation of the storm’s impact, schools in Chennai and Chengalpettu have been closed for the day.
In addition to the coastal areas, Jharkhand is also expected to experience fog and partial cloud cover due to the cyclone. The cyclone’s influence is expected to raise the minimum temperature in the region by 2-3 degrees Celsius over the next few days.
